Clifton's four beaches — numbered prosaically First to Fourth — are tucked between granite boulders on the western side of Lion's Head, sheltered from the famous Cape southeaster wind. Of the four, Fourth Beach is the largest and the most family-friendly; First Beach the most secluded; Third the traditional gay beach.
The sand is white and powdery and the water is unswimmably cold for most visitors. There are no facilities on the beaches themselves, but small shops and food stalls run along Victoria Road above. Access is via long flights of steep stairs down from the road — there is no easy parking and no shade on the beach itself, so come prepared.